Thermo-electric-light cup.



No. 653,577. Patented July I0, |900.

` C. n. LA BIER.

THERMUELECTMC LIGHT CUP.

(Application led Feb. 5, 1900.)

I(No Modal.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLARENCE R. LA BIER, OF TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CHARLES H. HILTON, OF SAME PLACE.

TH ERlVlO-ELECTRlC-LIG HT CUP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 653,577, dated July 10, 1900.

Application iled February 5, 1900. Serial No. 4,053. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CLARENCE R. LA BIER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Terre Haute, in the count-y of Vigo and State of Indiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Thermo-Electric-Light Cups, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to thermoelectriclight cups; and the object of the same is to produce simple and efficient means for applying electrically-superheated air to various parts of the human system in the treatment of disease.

It is a Well-known fact that superheated dry air applied as a local bath is a valuable therapeutic agent, especially in the treatment Vof defective circulation, enlarged or painful glands, pleurisy, pneumonia, and rheumatic affections. In the treatment of these and similar diseases I have found that confined superheated air is particularly efficient and have produced an apparatus which With slight modifications in form may be lnade available for local application to any diseased part of the system and that the heat applied may be maintained at any desired temperature or may be varied to suit different pathological conditions.

In carrying out my invention I have obtained the necessary means for heating the apparatus which I use from any electric source of supply, as by attachment to an electric-light wire or other electric circuit of suflicient energy for the purpose.

As shown in the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, Figure 1 illustrates a perspective View of one form of my apparatus for application to the smaller Inembersof the patient. Fig. 2 is avieW looking into an apparatus for the treatment of diseases of the body. Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the apparatus shown in Fig. 2.

Like numerals of reference designate like parts Wherever they occur in the different views.

As shown in the drawings, my apparatus consists of a cup or thermal jacket l, having a iiaring mouth 2 of the desired contour and size to snugly fit the affected part of the body or limbs of a patient. I have illustrated two different sizes of apparatus, and in practice I have found that these are sufficient for all practical purposes; but others may be re-- quired, and I do not Wish to be limited as to size, contour, or details of construction, as these may be varied Within certain limits Without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. The mouth 2 of the cup has applied thereto a flexible binding 3, which serves to give a more perfect contact and to prevent 6o the escape of the superheated air during treatment. The inner surface 4 of the cup or jacket may be of bright or lustrous material in order to assist in reflecting the light and heat to the affected parts. The cup may be conveniently formed of tin, asbestos, or other material and the inner surface may be of some bright material. An incandescentelectric-light bulb 5 is secured within the cup or jacket in any suitable manner and con- 7o nected to any electric source of supply.

As shown in Fig. 2, several incandescentelectric-light bulbs are secured in the cup or jacket, and in this example I may useasWitch or cut-out for each bulb in order that the air may be gradually superheated to the desired degree and maintained or varied at Will.

The binding 3 may be formed of some nonconducting material, such as asbestos fabric.

It will be obvious from the foregoing that 8o when my apparatus is applied to a diseased part of the patient the superheated air is confined Within certain limits dependent upon the size of the cup or jacket and that any desirable degree of heat may be attained or the degree may be varied to suit different pathological conditions.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is A device for superheatiug air consisting of 9o a cup or jacket, having a number of incandescent-electric-light bulbs inclosed therein, said cup or jacket having a curved flaring mouth and a iiexible binding of non-conducting material surrounding said mouth, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of tivo subscribing Witnesses.

CLARENCE R. LA BIER. 

